Tim Krul believes Newcastle have had a weight lifted from their shoulders as they return to Europa League action.

Alan Pardew’s side entertain Metalist Kharkiv at St James’ Park tonight having stopped the rot in the Premier League with two victories in their last three games.

They remain close to the drop zone but, boosted by wins against Aston Villa and Chelsea prior to Saturday’s defeat at Tottenham and with five new signings, goalkeeper Krul said: “We have had a hard time during the first half of the season but with these new faces coming in, it gives us a lot of confidence.

“We have still got a lot of hard games to play but we can go into them with a lot of belief.”

The arrivals of midfielders Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko in particular have given the club a lift though striker Yoan Gouffran won’t play against the Ukrainians tonight as he is ineligible in Europe.

Krul added: “From the moment [the new players] walked into the club, they have been great for us.”

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote is set to play tonight despite his arrest on suspicion of fraud.

The 26-year-old was questioned in relation to driving offences and his car, a Chevrolet Camaro worth about £75,000, was seized by police.